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Now that the weather is warming up with spring sunshine, there are more opportunities for live music to bring people together at festivals and other outdoor events. The Wine & World Music Festival at Morgan Hill Cellars does just that. It is a free entry event and there will be tickets for sale for wine by the glass and for a raffle prizes. It’s an amazing opportunity to bring people together to mix and mingle, to celebrate diversity and to enjoy a wide variety of live music as well.
On the evening of Friday, May 10 beginning at 5 p.m., Morgan Hill Cellars, one of the area’s oldest wineries, will be the location of the first ever Morgan Hill Wine & World Music Festival. This is a fundraising effort and all the proceeds benefit the creation of an artistic monument to celebrate peace, unity, and friendship.
Music includes the taiko drums of Japan, Irish step dancers, Mexican folklore dancing, Mexican Mariachi, Celtic and American music among the green hills of the South County. In addition, there will be international foods available from 333 Food Truck, which is a diverse food truck featuring Mexican, Indian and Korean food.
The Morgan Hill Peace Project is working to foster peaceful action and tolerance in the community, encouraging unity with a main goal to build a peace monument.
To learn more about this project visit their web site www.mhpeaceproject.org. “Make this town a place of peace” has been their motto. You can find them on Facebook at Morgan Hill Peace Project. They also have a gofundme page for contributions to this worthy cause. www.gofundme.com/mhpeacemonument.
Another benefit festival coming to the area is the Day On The Ridge in Gilroy May 26. The third annual all-day concert celebration takes place in Eagle Ridge and benefits St. Joseph’s Family Center, which offers support services to low-income families living in Gilroy and the South County.
The day’s diverse lineup features some of the Bay Area’s best party bands and entertainers including Cripple Creek Band, The Purple Ones (Prince tribute band), Heartless (Heart tribute band), and DJ Ponce as well as Derek Anderson’s ESS Band for a mix of R&B, soul, and pop music.
To kick off the day’s festivities, actress and singer Lauren Mayhew will perform the national anthem. Headlining the festival is Nashville country music star Drake White and The Big Fire band. All attendees have the option of being close to the stage in a private, intimate setting without seating assignments. This event is an opportunity to enjoy great food, wine, and beer including gourmet food trucks.
“We started Day on the Ridge three years ago because we wanted to give back to our community,” said Shawn Chizanskos, founder of Day on the Ridge. “It was only natural to support St. Joseph’s since they do so much for the people in our community who need it the most. Last year we sold more than 400 tickets and raised more than $80,000. This year we’re expecting 600 attendees and an even larger donation to St. Joseph’s.”
Day on the Ridge was started by Gilroy residents, Brenda and Shawn Chizanskos, in 2017. Since then, the all-day event has grown to become one of Gilroy’s most celebrated days of the year. Past headliners have included Starship featuring Mickey Thomas and The English Beat along with some of the most popular cover bands in the Bay Area.
On another note, live music is going strong with places like Kelly Brewing Company, Bubbles & Brew, 88 Keys Cafe, Sinaloa and The Grapevine just to name a few. Wineries Clos La Chance, Seeker Vineyards, Verde Vineyards and Satori Cellars are also hot spots for ongoing live music. Check their calendars for music schedules.
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